Blood samples of 98 Tolfetano horses, reared in 5 different farms, were examined by IFAT and PCR to detect antibodies against Babesia caballi and Theileria equi and parasitic DNA, respectively. Clinical signs and haematological data were also analysed. Ninety two samples (93.88%) scored positive by IFAT for T equi and 44 (44.9%) for B. caballi. The coinfection rate was 47.82%; 18 horses showed also positive PCR results (K=0.03). No horse showed clinical signs referable to babesiosis; mild haematological modifications were observed. With regard to seropositivity for B. caballi, no significant differences linked to sex were observed, while age and farm showed to be a categorical variable significantly related to seropositivity. The results suggested that Tolfetano breed could have a natural tolerance to Babesia infections.
Prevalenza di Babesia caballi e Theileria equi in cavalli di razza Tolfetana.
VERONESI, FABRIZIA;MORETTA, IOLANDA;PIERGILI FIORETTI, Daniela;MORETTI, Annabella
2010
Abstract
Blood samples of 98 Tolfetano horses, reared in 5 different farms, were examined by IFAT and PCR to detect antibodies against Babesia caballi and Theileria equi and parasitic DNA, respectively. Clinical signs and haematological data were also analysed. Ninety two samples (93.88%) scored positive by IFAT for T equi and 44 (44.9%) for B. caballi. The coinfection rate was 47.82%; 18 horses showed also positive PCR results (K=0.03). No horse showed clinical signs referable to babesiosis; mild haematological modifications were observed. With regard to seropositivity for B. caballi, no significant differences linked to sex were observed, while age and farm showed to be a categorical variable significantly related to seropositivity. The results suggested that Tolfetano breed could have a natural tolerance to Babesia infections.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
